Where have you been?

Rachel, where have you been? Rachel's been wearing the invisibility cloak and has been replaced by Miss Clark.

Oh Miss Clark, how your worries and fears differ from your counterpart's.
When someone asks "What are you doing later this week?" My thoughts revert to: "Preparing my sophomores for their final test from To Kill a Mockingbird. I also need to create a rubric for my junior's presentations for 'The Federalist Papers'. We're getting started on DBQ's for the AP test and I'm really worried about how well they will catch on."
When someone asks me how my day was, it relates directly to whether it was an "A" day or a "B" day.
Miss Clark dominates the majority of my thoughts, and I kid you not, I've even caught myself unintentionally use teaching techniques on my friends.
With that said, Miss Clark will be temporarily taking a rest as of Dec. 5. I will be done student teaching. That's right, I've survived this far, I can make it 7 more days. But before that time comes to an end, I'm going to post Miss Clark thoughts. Feel free to stop reading. This may be just for me...


A week and a half ago, a student at my school took his life. He was not one of my students, but I had students that were heavily affected. When a student dies, it affects every student in the school because the grief and sadness is related to such a young life being taken away. This causes me to grieve. But not on behalf of myself, on behalf of my students.
Last Friday my school went to the semi-finals for state football. The odds were heavily against us, and in the 1st quarter, our QB broke his collarbone. In goes 2nd string QB which is one of my 8th pd. students. He played an AMAZING game, and in the last minute of the 4th quarter, the opponents scored a touchdown making the final score 45-41. All I could think about was how sad my student must have been, and how difficult that ride home for him was.
I had a student who's mother passed away at the end of the quarter. I can't imagine what that would be like to handle at such a young age. She's missed hardly any school, but it is apparent how much of a struggle she is going through. All I can do is tell her that I'm sorry for her loss, and give her as much time as she needs to make up work.

As I see my students go through hard things like this, it makes my heart ache for them. Because of that, I enjoy the happy moments all the more. If only I could give them a glimpse of the potential of everything that they are. Even my the students that make me want to scream. I want them to know that they are amazing, and that life will always get better. Laugh. Sing. Dance. Do whatever it takes to make yourself feel good for a little while, and always count on the fact that tomorrow will be better. Always believe that things can be better. Everyone around you is going through something hard, believe that happiness is worth it.

That's all.
Laugh, be happy. It's always worth it.

Contradictions...

I realized today that I'm somewhat of a contradiction...

I'm sitting here working on lesson plans for teaching my 10th and 11th graders how to better understand the English language and use it properly. I'm dressed up because it's Parent Teacher Conferences, and I'm hoping parents will take me slightly seriously. I've got heels on, rings, earrings, bracelets, a cutesy little jacket, the whole nine yards. My hair is curly, and I bleach it blonde on purpose. As I do this, I'm listening to some new music I just bought off iTunes. What songs would you guess?
Well, if it were to be according to the way I'm dressed, it would be Brittany Spears (whom I own much of and teach a lot of dance to).
If it were according to my occupation, it would be some classical, or possibly soft rock, such as James Taylor or Carly Simon (also have on my computer).
Would it be my generation's pop culture music? Maybe some Katy Perry, or some Fray or Script, or maybe even B.O.B. or the beloved Jason DeRulo (again, I have all of these bands/artists in my library).

No, it is none of these people, instead it is a personal favorite that I can never get enough of and listen to way more than any of the artists listed above...


Rise Against. Angry, loud, wonderfully poetic, and crafted by the vegan genius that is Tim Mcllrath. I would LOVE to see them in concert, they've been to Utah a few times, but I haven't been able to go yet. They're the kind of band that you just know would be even better in concert and your life will never be the same after you see them. I would totally be the girl at the concert in a pink t-shirt and American Eagle skinny jeans... hated by everyone around me.

Do I think this makes me unique? Not really. I'm sure there are oh-so-many more just like me. I can't help but laugh when stuff like that comes up though.

Are you a contradiction?

Secrets to Interviews

I have a friend that's interviewing for a job, so I text him to tell him good luck. The conversation from there went as follows:

Me: "Good luck today!"
Him: "Thanks. As fate would have it - either after 23 years I suddenly have allergies...or I have a head cold.
Me: "Don't let the snot drip into your mouth during the interview...they'll think you're immature..."
Him: "Haha. Done. Also, I sneeze about every 3 minutes. Hopefully the interview isn't longer than that."
Me: "Oh I'm sure it won't be...grown-up interviews are quick. In and out. I mean, what do they really need to know?"
Him: "They have my resume...they should really just e-mail me all their questions and I'll get back to them when I can.
Me: "That seem reasonable. Who are they to try to take up your time with their useless questioning?"
Him: "Also, I wanna hit the gym after, so I just wore my gym clothes. And I rode my motorcycle so excuse my hair. Also, I'm expecting a call on another job so I may have to take a call in the middle of this."
Me: "Well, it's less of another job, and more my friend calling, but we need to talk about our fantasy football team, so you understand right? I'm kinda hungry, do you have any bagels or anything?"
Him: "But I'm testing my gluten allergy, so we're gonna need to go gluten free on these. No bagels? I'll call in an order - we can take a 15 - you go run and pick em up while I wrap up this football gig."
Me: "Lol! You win. Add on an "mmmkay pumpkin" and I think you've got the job."
Him: "Also, is this a smoke-free workplace? I don't smoke...but my dog does. And he can't go more than 45 minutes without me rubbing this ointment on his sores, so he's gonna need a place to run around while I'm here. Also, while you're on that bagel run, mind if I ask ya to swing by place and rub this on him? Thanks chief."
Him: "Ya know what, I feel good about this. I'll take the job! I'll start tomorrow!"
Me: "Lol, I won't be in until about 10:30 though. I don't like to wake up to early, makes me look groggy, and I don't do groggy well. And my band is playling a gig at Somedude's Playground this weekend, so they're going to come practice during lunch. You're gonna love it."

I think he's going to get the job, don't you?

Sigh...

"We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glowworm."

*Winston Churchill

Wisdom from Teen Wolf... =)

So, yeah, I watched MTV's Teen Wolf this summer. Epically awesome because it was so terrible, but I couldn't help myself. I LOVED it! In the 2nd to last episode, Scott(Teen Wolf)'s mom gives Scott some love advice... and I still think it's genius, so I thought I'd post it.


"Have you told her how you feel?"
"She's knows."
"Come on, she knows. She knows? Listen, dumba$, I'm gonna let you in on a secret that most guys don't even have a clue about. Right? You ready? Women love words."
"Huh?"
"You need to tell her how you feel. Just say it. Say it again. Say it differently. Learn how to say it better. Learn how to sing it. You know, just, write it in a poem, in a letter, attached to flowers. Carve it in a tree. On the sidewalk with cement. Tattoo on your arm."
"Really?"
"No, not really a tattoo. Just, tell her the truth. Tell her anything and everything you want."


Women love words. Agree?

I guess it IS just me...

We all know the age old statement "Is it just me or...(insert funny/stupid/depressing statement here)". Example:
"Is it just me, or is it hot in here?"
"Is it just me, or are you sick of all the rain this year?"
"Is is just me, or is that an incredibly ugly baby?"
"Is it just me, or do you get annoyed by the sound of your voice?"
Well, I recently had a comical revelation that helped me answer this rhetorical question... It IS just me....

I recently had Taco Night with some friends. We made some tacos (naturally) and dessert, walked to the nearest Redbox, and watched Unstoppable. It was a fun night for all. The part of the night that made it great, and has left me thinking even 2 weeks later, was a brief conversation I had with my friends. It started out:
*Talking about fun nights out
*Talking about plans girls make
*Talking about "girl's nights"
*Talking about how girly girls are
*Talking about how funny girly things are
*Talking about how guys would never purposely have "guy's night"
And that was the point where I could no longer follow the conversation. I actually interjected, and said,
"Wait a second, I have tons of guy friends that do 'guy's nights.'"
My guy friends responded by telling me in various ways that guys will never turn down the chance to be around girls. If they do there's something wrong with them. I was like
"No seriously, I have way more guy friends than girl friends, and a whole bunch of my groups of guy friends do it. There have been a bunch of nights that I don't get invited to stuff because they decide to make it a guy's night."

There was a disturbing and embarrassing silence that followed that statement. Followed by muffled giggles. And it suddenly occurred to me. My guy friends are just telling me that because they don't want me around. Harsh reality, maybe, but honestly, it made me laugh more than anything. I don't take offense super easily, and still won't in the future. But the revelation of this statement really made me laugh. I don't know how I didn't see it sooner, but really it is true...

So, for the most part, guys want girls around all the time. Yes, this makes sense. But it seems that the statement "Is it just me, or do your guy friends have guy's nights ALL THE TIME" really IS just me... HA!

You're going to LOVE this guy!

I have a friend that recently posted a website on her blog, and I can't get enough of it. I read it all the time. Prepare for shock and awe. The website is:
singleswardhopper.com
And my friend's blog/response to it is:
Brooke's Begining

I wish I had more clever and amazing things to add to Brooke's post, but she's pretty much got it covered. I will add this though, I sent an e-mail to this fine young lad asking if the post was a joke. He responded, "No, it's for real." There you have it folks. This guy is bonafide.
Enjoy, because I certainly do.